Careers Advisor

Dear prospective applicant,

Thank you for expressing an interest in this key vacancy at our college.

Over the last six years we have been on a journey to try and make this school not only one of the best schools for children to attend but also one of the best schools to work in as a member of staff. That is extremely rare and we urge you to come and see us in action, speak to the staff and speak to the students. Every decision that we take is done with a lot of thought and consideration and we put well-being at the centre, so that teachers can teach and students can learn.

There is always a tension between well-being and accountability but I do believe that we are getting closer to finding the sweet spot between the two. Although it is not the end of our journey, we have been recognised for the work we do in this area; we have been shortlisted for the well-being school of the year two years running and we have also been shortlisted for the prestigious Pearson's Award for secondary school of the year 2023. I was also fortunate enough to win gold!

We have a very different approach and we are trying to create a very different culture at CHCC, a culture whereby those in leadership do not hold authority and deserve to be followed; leaders at CHCC have to earn the right to lead and we welcome and appreciate challenge if we do not live up to the standards that are expected of us.

The THIRST values permeate all that we do and are a framework that staff can hold leaders to account for the way that they lead. We have high expectations but we will provide the support, training and resources for you to deliver the best possible education for our students.

We are very clear that the gender, background, colour, poverty, wealth or social status of a child should have no bearing on how well they perform and staff here work extremely hard in trying to close that gap between the different groups of pupils.

Our behaviour policy is clear and simple, “First Time Every Time,” no quibbles, no arguments just do as we expect. Teachers no longer have to do detentions, chase up absence, attendance or punctuality. These are all done centrally with a highly skilled team that has taken the workload away from teachers.

Careers education is primarily taught in the Life Skills curriculum and children receive one to one interviews, to support their journey and their next steps. Our recent NEET figures are 4%, with the majority of our students going on to study ‘A ‘ Levels. There is also an increasing number of students considering apprenticeships and ‘T’ Levels.

Collaborating closely with the Assistant Principal overseeing Personal Development, the appointed individual will make contributions to the design of the school's comprehensive careers strategy. This pivotal role involves spearheading the delivery of our robust career education, information, advice, and guidance program. Tasks encompass conducting personalised career sessions with students, fostering partnerships with colleges, the LEBC, LLEP and local authority Connexions service to guide students toward suitable paths, orchestrating impactful events like careers fairs, National Careers Week, and Apprenticeship Week. At the heart of our ethos lies the value of Aspiration, nurturing each student's potential to excel and aspire for greatness. We eagerly welcome driven and skilled careers leaders poised to embrace this rewarding challenge.

We welcome applications from individuals who may not possess a formal careers qualification but are willing to engage in the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development once appointed to the role. While prior experience and qualifications are valued, we recognize the potential for growth and success in individuals who are seeking their next step in a school environment. We believe in providing opportunities for personal and professional advancement, and we encourage applicants who are committed to enhancing their skills and knowledge in the field. Join us, and embark on a journey of growth and fulfilment with our supportive team.

Any applicants completing the qualification once appointed, will be expected to remain in post at Crown Hills once qualified, for a further two years. Should they wish to leave before completing the two years they will be expected to pay the course fees.

Please read the attached job description and person specification. If you are interested in applying, please fill in the application form available on our website, please include e-mail addresses of all referees, together with a letter of application (no more than 2 sides of A4, font 12) outlining your skills, qualifications and experience relevant to this post by 9am on Monday 20th May 2024. Please include your cover letter in the supporting statement section.

Yours sincerely,

Mr F Adam